Clinton ally to host Obama, boost DNC

Longtime Hillary Clinton friend and bundler Alan Patricof, who sat out the 2012 presidential race, will host President Barack Obama at his Manhattan home for a Democratic National Committee fundraiser to help strengthen the party ahead of a possible Clinton run, POLITICO has learned.

An email from Patricof about next month’s event went out last week to donors, explaining that the financier and his wife, Susan, are making the move to bolster the party’s formal apparatus while Clinton makes her decision this year about a 2016 presidential run.

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It’s a huge boon to the DNC as it tries to put its debt to rest from the 2012 campaign. And it reflects a clear correlation between Clinton and the party, as opposed to wink-nod efforts in the form of super PACs.

It is also a massive sea change for Patricof, one of the Clintons’ longest and closest supporters.

DNC officials didn’t respond to calls for comment.

“As you know, Susan and I have been relatively quiet on the political front for the past several years following Hillary’s loss in the primary election for the Presidency in 2008,” Patricof wrote in the email, which was obtained by POLITICO. “While we, like all good Democrats, were supportive to President Obama afterwards, we decided early on not to take an active role in any of the campaign activities, including fundraising, so we have not reached out to you or anyone in that connection for some time.”

He added, “I’m sure you are as aware as we are of the various efforts to convince Hillary to run in 2016 and to demonstrate financial, as well as moral support, if she decides to go forward. We have no better knowledge about that possibility than you do at this time. Nevertheless, we have recently decided that the most effective way that we all can be helpful to Hillary, and the Democratic Party in general, is to make sure that the Democratic National Committee is as strong as possible if Hillary should decide to run in 2016 and, for that matter if any other good candidate appears on the scene if she decides not to be in the race.”

The email went on: “With that background in mind, Susan and I have decided to extend our support to the DNC this year and to be helpful as we prepare for the upcoming campaign as it evolves. In that connection, we have agreed to host, and would like to invite you to, a fireside chat with President Obama at our home.”

The event is on March 11 and is limited to 13 couples, or 26 people, Patricof wrote.

“Please be assured that it will be an intimate affair,” he wrote. “There will be no press, and the meeting will be off the record as the President discusses current issues and challenges that lay ahead for the next campaign.”

“We hope that you will recognize that this is an important step in making sure that the DNC’s outstanding debt is discharged and that they are in a strong financial position as we enter the next presidential campaign,” Patricof added.